Understanding South Carolina Water ResourcesQuantifying Capacity, Quality and Impacts of Drought, Floods, and Usage

Clemson University is ideally positioned to fulfill the need for continuous assessment of South Carolina's water resource capacities. As the state’s primary land-grant institution, Clemson solves problems associated with natural resources through research, education, and extension. Clemson Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) has an array of statewide programs that address a wide-range of agriculture and natural resource issues including water resources for agriculture, forested watershed management, and numerous other water-related natural resource topics.

The South Carolina Water Resources Center operates as a catalyst for research projects and programs and serves as a research facilitator through two annual USGS grants competitions. Sensor technologies and remote data collection systems that enable advanced environmental and hydrologic monitoring to improve scientific-based decision making are developed through the Intelligent River® Research Enterprise.

The vision of the Clemson Water Energy Consortium (WEC) is to promote global recognition of Clemson University as being at the forefront of research addressing the water-energy nexus. The mission of the WEC is to contribute research leading to technology innovations in water systems with a minimization of energy and carbon footprints as well as energy systems with a minimization of water and carbon footprints.

The Center for Watershed Excellence's vision is to involve Clemson faculty and students in statewide watershed research and education programs that support the development of community-based watershed management programs. The Center offers hands-on support and practical products and services that will encourage growth of local stakeholder groups working toward sustainable natural resources within their watershed.

Clemson Extension's Carolina Clear program partners with over 38 communities in South Carolina to provide stormwater education, outreach, and public involvement opportunities works hand-in-hand with environmental educators, colleges and universities, municipalities, counties, stormwater engineers, and local non-profits.

The South Carolina Adopt-a-Stream program is led in a partnership between SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, Georgia Environmental Protection Division, and the Clemson Center for Watershed Excellence. Volunteers are trained annually by certified trainers to become stewards and monitors of South Carolina rivers.

The Carolina Yards Program works with and also recognizes homeowners that implement the principles of environmental landscape management. By using environmentally friendly landscape practices, homeowners can make positive changes in the environmental quality of their yards, neighborhoods and surrounding waterways.

4-H2O is a water-based 4-H science camp that runs in more than 15 South Carolina counties, allowing students an opportunity to learn and experience this state’s water resources first-hand. The camps focus on hands-on science inquiry to provide children and adults with knowledge about their local water resources and teaches field, analytical and critical thinking skills needed to participate in water quality protection.

From Seeds to Shoreline is a school program, led by the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, that engages students in restoring Spartina alterniflora, the dominant plant in the salt marsh. Students will participate in hands-on science that addresses SC State Science Standards, serves our coastal community and emphasizes environmental stewardship.

The Certified Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Inspector (CEPSCI) program educates field personnel on the proper installation, maintenance and inspection of erosion prevention and sediment control measures at construction sites.

The Certified Stormwater Plan Reviewer (CSPR) educates personnel on the proper design and review of storm water and sediment control plans for development sites in order to meet regulatory and environmental requirements.

The Master Pond Manager (MPM) achievement course is designed to teach participants a wide range of pond management knowledge and skills. As a "hybrid" course combining online and face-to-face learning, it will incorporate self-paced lectures, discussion, quizzes, and other web-based methods of participant-instructor interaction, along with hands-on participation activities in the field.

Silt Fence and Beyond: Erosion and Sediment Control Best Practices is a full day workshop for contractors, inspectors, and regulators who wish to learn more about saving time and money on job sites through proper selection, installation, and maintenance of construction BMPs.

The Confined Animal Manure Manager (CAMM) program team consists of agents and specialists with Clemson University, the Clemson Extension Service, the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Effective planning and management requires an accurate assessment of the location and quantity of water resources. The assessment of surface and ground water is the first phase in water resources planning and policy. Following the assessment and its publication, the second phase will focus on the development of a state water plan.

The biennial South Carolina Water Resources Conference provides an integrated forum for policy, research and management to prepare for and meet the growing challenge of providing water resources to sustain and grow South Carolina’s economy. 300+ attendees at each of the past five conferences. The next conference will be held October 17-18, 2018.

The South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium has initiated an effort to gather scientists and resource managers from across the state to to further investigate and address the challenges associated with stormwater ponds in our coastal areas. Stormwater ponds are the most common best management practice for controlling runoff from developed landscapes.

This online professional degree program in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS) sends graduates into an array of public, non-profit, and private sector agencies serving as city / county managers, finance officers, emergency managers, urban planners, and other successful career paths.

The annual Journal is a peer-reviewed, open access publication. It was established in 2013 to enhance outreach efforts and provide an outlet to communicate information and results from work on advancements in water science, policy, management, and law pertaining to South Carolina.

The documentary, interactive timeline and web page released by Clemson PSA and Cooperative Extension chronicling the 2015 historic flood and the hardship facing South Carolina’s No. 1 industry: agriculture and forestry.